BELLY CONKLIN loved cousins just as much as Teddy. That's why they were always so close. They would stay up day, by day during the year thinking about every little memory and every little detail about every summer. It was their thing, cousins beach.

They often dreamed that when they were older the crew would still be together. Their little ones running the beach along side them. They desired it, even.

"Hey, Belly." Teddy smiled, poking her head slightly. Belly chuckled at the girl, shaking her head. "Come in you little weirdo."

"You ready for the party tonight?" Teddy questioned, her damp hair falling on her shoulder once her body hit the neat bed of Belly's, "I dunno." She shrugged.

"Oh, come on, bells. Your my party girl, remember, you have to come?" She giggled, the memory tracing her mind. "Yeah, yeah. I remember." Teddy raised her eyebrows before making her giggle.

It was the summer of 9th grade. Belly and Teddy were making their traditional ice cream run that they did. It was a common occurrence of theirs. Every Friday of the summer they would go get icecream, without the boys, of course.

They were giggling about stupid little things the whole time, their smiles scrunching their faces as they bickered. That day, the ice cream shop was particularly more packed then usual. More specifically, teenage boys.

Even though they didn't care about the boy's presence, the lingering stare from across from them was getting quite annoying. She didn't even think about it, waving to a boy she recognized as Lucas Blythe.

He didn't even wait, walking over to them in with no hesitation. "Hey, I saw you guys walk in, I'm Lucas." Isabel gave him a soft smile whilst Teddy shook his hand, "Hi, I'm Teddy, this is Belly." She gave him a short wave which he returned.

"Well, I'm just gonna be straightforward, you guys wanna come to me and my friends party tonight?" Teddy looked at Belly in shock, who was giving the same expression, "It's not a house party or anything, it's by the beach. You can find us by the bay-walk tonight at 8PM?" He looked at the girls with pleading eyes, holding his hands together.

Teddy shook her head, "We will have to check in will our family back at home. But if not we will see you there, Lucas." He nodded, a smile slowly growing on his face. "Cool, see you guys there." He smiled, walking back to the table with his friends.

Teddy immediately turned her head, with her jaw dropped, handled with a wide smile. Belly was just as happy, fighting the urge to jump up and down. "Are we like gonna be party girls after this?"

The girls giggled as they reminisced about the memory. "Hey, maybe you will see him again tonight." Belly poked her shoulder playfully, "He probably doesn't even remember me. Us even."

Belly scoffed, "Did you see how he looked at you that whole night? You don't look at somebody like that then not remember them." Teddy shrugged, "He's a player, anyway. He's friends with Conrad."

Belly nodded, dropping her head slightly. "Anyways, I have to get ready early so I am not rushed later. But, please think about it atleast, Kay?" She nodded, Teddy grabbing her hand once more before leaving the room.

That was her favorite thing about summer. It was the memories that made this place special. It was always so magical. Her happy place. It made her heart happy. The echoing laughter the house heard every day was enchanting. It was like your in a never ending fairy tail.

"Steven, I swear to God, if you look at that phone one more time, I'm putting it in the screen basket." Laurel threatened, Susannah quickly coming to the rescue, "It's just that we wanna see your beautiful faces."

Teddy quickly took a piece of meat off of Trey's plate making him smack her head as she quickly put it in her mouth. "Twins." Sam stared in warning, making Teddy quickly ploped it in her mouth to end the argument.

"Can this be a phone free zone? Like the olden days." Susannah smiled, which Steven ignored, checking it once more. Jeremiah had enough, quickly throwing his phone onto the chair. "Dude, are you kidding me? We get it you've been working out."

Belly rolled her eyes, "Your just jealous cause Jeremiah has a better body then you." Steven was highly offended by this, "Actually, it's all about the lean look now otherwise you can't wear tailored suits."

Teddy laughed, "When are you leaving for training camp?" Trey asked, "Uh, he quit football." Everyones smile fell, looking at Conrad in confusion. "You quit football?" He only nodded.

"Are you kidding me, man? I'd kill to play college ball." Steven and Trey agreed. "He can always change his mind." Susannah put out, "I'm not gonna change my mind."

Sam cleared his throat, "Well, if you do. You can always come train with me and Trey." Conrad hesitantly nodded, making Sam return the gesture. "It's fine, I was gonna sit bench all season anyways."

"What are you gonna do all summer?" Teddy asked, "Yeah, you can work at the club with me and Jere." Steven said, "I'm not working at the club."

The girls gave each other confused looks, "You're working this summer?"

"Yeah, I'm lifeguarding and Steven's working at the snack shop." Jeremiah said. Teddy felt herself become sad, frowning at the boy who sat across from her. He noticed this, but before he could speak, Susannah gasped in surprise.

"I almost forgot I have a surprise for you two." Susannah said, making the girls smile. Laurel seemed to know what it was as she pulled out two envelopes, "So, this is why you had to stop at the country club." Belly furrowed her eyebrows, "What is that?" She stuttered.

"I wrangled Belly and Teddy an invitation to be a debutante." Teddy looked at her dad, who shrugged in just as much confusion as her, "Is that the thing where the girls are like supposed to pick their husbands?" Teddy was hesitant with her words but they seemed to come out quickly, confused on what this was about.

"It's when a girl comes of age and is presented to society. I know it sounds silly, but I swear it's fun. Girls come from all over New England to Cousins just to be a part of it. You'll make so many new friends." Belly and Teddy gave eachother glares. "I cannot believe you are still holding on to this archaic dream."

"No, it used to be about finding a husband, but now it's about networking. They teach you leadership skills, like how to market yourself,
and it benefits charity. It's, um, like a bat mitzvah." Susannah stated, "It is not like a bat mitzvah."

"The whole deb scene is bullshit, it's for sheep." Conrad said, "No, it's not. It's when a girl has a coming out. It's a formal recognition she's reached maturity." Steven unsurprisingly laughed at that.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry— mature? Belly?" Steven laughed, "A couple months again you had a cat funeral. You made us all wear black." Teddy rolled her eyes at Steven, "Shut up, Steven! I saw you crying in your room." Jeremiah sighed, "Moji died? Dang, I'm sorry Bells."

"Girls," she spoke once more, "Dont you wanna get all dressed up?" Belly was quiet, "It's just not Belly's thing. She's our feral little ally cat." Teddy saw the uncomfortable look on her face, "Teds?"

Susannah gave her eyes she couldn't say no to, "Since I don't have anything better to do, it's a maybe." She smiled, before looking at Belly. "I'll think about it."

"They'll think about it."

"Does this require her bringing a date?" Sam spoke, "Dad." Teddy rolled her eyes, "I'm just curious!" Jeremiah smiled at their interaction watching as she quickly rolled her eyes, "Just checking! If my daughter is gonna have a date I wanna meet him." Sam teased, "Dad, you make me wanna live under a rock." She said, "Better than nothing."

Giggles surrounded the table as they all went back to talking normally, Teddy reaching up to give Jeremiah her breadsticks she didn't want. This was happiness for him. The traditional beach talk was his favorite memory every year of cousins. Or when he and the boys would stay up till like 3AM playing videos games. Or the movie nights they would have as a family.

Maybe even the music that blared from Teddy's room every time she had to get ready for something, and when she would put his hair in little pigtails when she was bored, or the confused to happy look on her face every time he had opened her door.

"What's up?" Teddy smiled, turning her vanity chair around. Jeremiah's eyes basically lit up at the sight. She looked so pretty. Her curly brown hair was braided in two small pieces that were pinned back. Her white tube top and khaki shorts fitted her figure so perfectly. His eyes were locked on her glossy lips as she stared at him in confusion.

"Hello? Jersey?" She snapped her fingers, titling her head at him in confusion. "Oh, um, were about to head out." He said, opening the door wider. She nodded, quickly clamping her necklace. He watched as she quickly walked past him before retracing her steps.

She stopped and stared at him. He felt as if his breathe was stopping, his air ways slowly closing up and she had no idea how much of an affect she had on him. "Sorry, um, your hair." Teddy awkwardly chuckled, fluffing his curls. "All better." Jeremiah nodded, shaking it off as she walked away.

Trey was baffled at the sight of his twin sister walked down the stairs. "Your not wearing that, go change." She rolled her eyes, "For what? Your not my dad."

"I don't like it, and I'm older than you." He groaned, "I don't care what you like and your older by 3 minutes!" Teddy shrugged, smirking slightly. "Teddy, seriously go change." She huffled loudly, "Shut the hell up already."

Trey rolled his eyes as Jeremiah slightly shrugged his shoulders, turning around as he followed the girl out the door. "You won't ever win, man." Steven patted his shoulder.

Teddy smiled to herself as she saw Belly and Conrad talking by the pool, "First bonfire of the summer!" Jeremiah cheered with Steven as Trey tapped Conrad's shoulder.

"Belly, I'll see you there?" Teddy stopped in her tracks and she nodded hesitantly.

The drive there came along with the aching feeling of excitement as she tapped her fingertips on her knee slightly. "Teddy, don't embarrass me tonight. I will disown you." She rolled her eyes, "Your so sweet, Trey. Did you know that?" Teddy said, turning back to look at him which he ignored.

She took the sight in, staring at the sight in front of her. "Whoo!" Jeremiah and Steven cheered, Trey threw an arm over his sister whilst they walked down to the beach.

Teddy was looking around, trying to find someone she actually knew once the boys left her. "Would you like a beer?" A random boy asked her, staring at her up and down. "Thanks." She nodded, taking it from him.

The disgusting taste made her scrunch her face up as she walked down the beach, and to the log that sat closely by the fire. Her leg bounced up and down as she looked around for Belly— or somebody atleast.

Lucas Blythe stood next to his friends. He hadn't had one thought of Teddy all year. Maybe a few times but even then, he hoped she would come tonight.

Teddy was the first to see him, her eyes widening as she straightened her body out. And when he finally saw her, he lost all thoughts that were in his mind.

The girl he spent three days hanging out with last summer was finally back. And he couldn't help but smile, "I'll be back, guys."

Teddy felt like her heart skipped a beat as the boy she never thought she'd see again walked towards her. She slowly stood up from her spot in the log, anxiously meeting him right there as he waited for her to say something. "Teddy, aka party girl." She chuckled, nodding her head as she spoke, "Lucas, aka party boy."

Jeremiah watched the interaction from a far, trying his best to listen to the two girls that talked to him. But, he couldn't help but watch as his best friend spoke with a guy he wasn't very fond of.

"Is that seat taken?" He asked, pointing to where she sat a few seconds ago. "Would you like to take it, Lucas?" Teddy raised her eyebrows, fighting back a wide smile. Lucas shrugged, "Maybe."

"No. No, it's not taken." She smiled, nodding as he motioned for her to sit questionably. "How have you been?" Lucas questioned, watching as she took a sip of her beer, "Okay. Yeah, good." She nodded, "How about you?"

Lucas shrugged, "We all have our moments." Teddy nodded, "I actually wasn't gonna come tonight."

"And why was that, party boy?" She raised her eyebrows, she quickly got serious when she saw how he went quiet at the question, "Well, I'm glad you came." Teddy smiled.

Lucas was in awe. He was a fuckboy and hated real feelings but she felt different. "Tell me about you. We spent like three days together last summer and I hardly know anything about you."

Teddy smirked, turning to face him, "Well, I don't actually live here obviously. I come here every summer with my family. Where not blood related but we grew up together, like since birth." Lucas nodded, "Are they here tonight?"

"Yeah, they all are. Belly is one of them. Her brother Steven, and then the fishers." Lucas hitched his breath and the last name of Jeremiah, "You live with Jeremiah?"

"Mhm. Do you know him?" She asked, "Yeah. A little bit."

Teddy awkwardly looked around once it got quiet, before he slowly stood up, grabbing the empty beer out her hand. "I'm gonna get us something stronger." Teddy laughed, shaking her head. "What?" He was already walking away, his feet kicking the stand as he rushed to the jumper, "I'll be back. Stay there!"

Teddy looked around seeing Belly in the corner obviously upset, "Oh, shit."

Belly felt a series of release as Teddy came over, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Steven is an asshole." She groaned, "Yeah. Steven is an asshole." Belly gave a soft smile as her bestfriends face slightly scrunched up. "You look so pretty, by the way. I love this look." Belly laughed to herself once Teddy began walking with her arm in arm.

Jeremiah watched the interaction closely, staring at Teddy and he begun smiling once she waved over to him. "Hey!" The three of them; Lucas, Belly and Teddy, begun pointing at eachother, Lucas giving Belly a quick hug.

"You staying tonight?" Lucas asked her, "Yes, she is." Teddy answered for her, Belly nodded in agreement, staring at the girl. "Oh, here's that drink."

Belly widened her eyes, trying not to freak out by their friendly conversations. "Why, thank you." Teddy took a chug not expecting it to be that strong. "What the fuck is that?" Teddy coughed, shaking her head in a disgusted taste. "It's Vodka and something else not sure. Fucking horrible isn't it?" He laughed.

"Never be a bartender." Belly shook her head. Lucas's friends came rushing over, tapping Lucas on the back. "We been looking for you man," they said before noticing the two girls, "Oh, hey."

"This is Teddy and Belly. We were just about to go and drink whatever the hell this is." He tried pulling it off with an awkward laugh. "You down to play a game?" They all looked at Teddy and Belly.

Belly obviously wasn't going to do it giving a disapproving look towards her.
"I dunno." She said. "Oh come on, it'll be fun." One of the boys said, Kai. Teddy looked at Belly before nodding, "Fine." They linked arms waiting for the approval of the boys and Belly knew this wasn't gonna end well.

"And chug!" They screamed. Teddy didn't waste anytime quickly swallowing every bit of it, the burning sensation of the alcohol bringing a harsh heat to her throat. They began cheering as she unlinked her arms, holding her cup upside down to show she was done, coughing.

"What the fuck man!" One of his friends said to Lucas while the other two began shaking and cheering with Teddy, which was followed by her never ending laughs. "Your insane." Lucas laughed, his friends no longer near them. "I am not. Just tired of being inside the bubble wrap." Lucas nodded, "I like that." He muffled, throwing an arm over her shoulder as his friends argued infront of them.

Jeremiah had to admit he was so jealous. She should be laughing with him. Not that asshole. He was stealing all of his laughs. He was trying to steal all of her. Trey's presence was felt next to Jeremiah as he sighed, "We don't like him do we?" Trey spoke up, "No we don't."

Teddy was now drunk out of her mind, sloppily walking over to Jeremiah, "Jere!" He immediately heard the sound of her voice, locking eyes with her. Something was obviously wrong, quickly looking over to the girls infront of him, "I'll be back."

"You okay?" He asked, taking the cup out of her hand and placing it on the ground, "No, my head hurts and I don't know where Belly is and fucking Conrad is making out with Nicole, who I hate, and then you, Steven and Trey are doing fuck boy shit in all different places."

She continued to ramble, catching Jeremiah by surprise. "And Lucas totally just ditched me for this blonde and left me along with his bitch friends!" He had never seen her like this. He had seen her upset but, not drunk upset. That's different.

"Okay. How about you sit down, and I'll get you some water?" Teddy nodded her head, opening her arms lazy as she hugged him, "Okay." He nodded, hugging her back. She pulled away wiping her eyes before looking into his, "Sit here and I'll go get whatever you need." Teddy took his hand, letting him guide her to a nearby log.

Teddy was now waiting over ten minutes for Jeremiah and she was getting impatient. She jumped up at the sight of her twin brother and she quickly began walking to him. "There you are." He sighed, looking at the scene infront of him. "Where's Belly? Im ready to go. Can we go?" Teddy asked, only to be ignored as a group of three girls came over to him.

She groaned to herself, walking to grab another beer, only to see the cooler was empty, filled with only ice now. She was pissed, not even seeing the argument happening infront of her.

"Give me my beer back man," Conrad demanded, "It's one beer, it's a party. Relax." The man said, continuing to try and take the beer from him. "Give me my beer back, I paid for this shit." Conrad fought, "Your wrong. Just give him the beer." His girlfriend, Nicole, said. "Maybe you should listen to your lady."

"No. I'm fine, I'm fine!" Conrad continued, and his cracking voice got Teddy's attention. "Fuck you, bro." Teddy even noticed Belly was beginning to creep up behind them, "Your not taking my fucking beer, dude!"

"It's just one beer!" The boy egged on, continuing to push him and tug the beer. "Yeah, and it's my beer."

Teddy immediately shot up at the sight of Belly hitting the ground, "Belly!" she was beat to the chase, the same boy tending to her. Conrad was quickly punched as he was distracted by this, making Teddy put a hand to her face.

She couldn't help but hear laughing behind her, and this time she finally recognized her. Lucas's ex girlfriend from last summer. "What the fuck is funny?" She aggressively asked her, "Your friend getting punched, that's what's funny." Amber continued to laugh.

"Amber," Lucas clenched his jaw angrily, slightly getting infront of the girl. "Say it again. About my friend?" Teddy inched closer and the girl couldn't help but laugh, pushing past Lucas as she got in her face.

"I said," Teddy didn't even let her finish her sentence before she sent a rough punch to her face, causing her to stumble back. "Watch your mouth, bitch!" Teddy spat as Amber got up. They began attacking eachother and somehow Teddy ended up on top of her as they roughly punched and slapped one another, not even hearing the nearby yells as they watched both fights go on around them.

The blood stained on her knuckles made Lucas raise his eyebrows, trying to pull the girl off his girlfriend. "Get off of me!"

The police sirens didn't go ignored, Jeremiah splitting up the two boys. "We have to go!" He shouted, looking around for his curly haired best friend.

Teddy was basically thrown off of the girl, landing harshly in the sand as Lucas looked at her in shock. When Jeremiah saw this and quickly rushing over to them, "I told you to stay put." He said, grabbing the drunken girl by her arm before moving to grab her hand as they ran.

As Teddy was placed in the car next to Conrad, "Here." Jeremiah said, slightly aggravated as he handed it to her. "Thank you." She said tiredly, her body basically rolled in a ball.

Teddy didn't know what had came over her. Her body was woozy and she felt as if she couldn't even keep her head up. The pounding sensation throughout her head along with mimicked voices around her were only making it worse. It felt as if the car was floating, making her grab onto the handle.

She wasn't even paying attention but the echoing voices between Jeremiah, Belly and a boy were getting very annoying. Then, she got even more aggravated as Belly and the boy began kissing. "Can we like put a pep in our step?" She murmured and Jeremiah looked behind his seat, making sure she was alright. She in fact did not look alright.

"Belly, get in the car." Jeremiah demanded, the boy saying his goodbyes before walking away. And just as they thought the night couldn't get any worse, a police officer unexpectedly walked up to their window,

"You kids been drinking?"